kellihgton



un. 618,795. Patented 1an. 3|, |899. .|.v kELLmaToN.

MACHINE FORWIPING CAMS.

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

H NM..

Paten-ted 1an.` 3l, |899.

J. KELLmGToN. MACHINE FDR WIPING SANS..

3 sheets-sheet 2,'

(No Model.)

. W/TNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

N o. 6|8,795. Patented 1an. 3|, |899.

J. KELLINGTDN.

MACHINE FOR WIPING CAMS.

3'Sheets Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

l... Y v.

ATTORNEY.

f UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOIINKKELLINGTON, OF TERRA NOVA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DANIEL J. MUNN, OF NEW WESTMINSTER, CANADA.

MACHINE FOR WIPING CANS.

SPECIFICATION-forming part of Letters Patent N o. 618,795, dated January 31, 1899. Application iledApril 29,1898. Serial No. 679,269. (No model.)

To LZZ whom t may concern..-

Be it known that I, J oH'N KELLINGTON, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residingat Terra Nova, Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Machine for Wiping Cans, of whichv the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for cleaning the grease from the edges and peripheries of cans which are intended to be covered and hermeticallysealed; and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a machine that is vsimple and cheap ofv construction and that will thoroughly clean and wipe vast numbers of cans in comparatively a short space of time, and, second, a machine of the kind that maybe readily and speedily adjusted to handle cans of various dimensions.' I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the machine with parts broken away,as shown by line 2 2 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan of the invention with a part of the top broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken at line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is'a plan view of the drawing-table, and Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same on line 4 4. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the scraper 64. Fig; 7 is a detail of the can-conveying chain; and Fig. 8 is a detail of the mat with the metallic brushes, showing the means of fastening the same.

Similar numerals and letters referto similar' parts throughout the several views, in whichf- A is the `bed of the machine,whicl1 is supported by the legs B. Suitably journaled in boxes on and near the opposite ends of the bed A are shafts 10 and 11, and rigidly secured to these shafts are wheels 12 and 13, the same being arranged to carry'three or more sprocket-chains 14 parallel to. each other. Lying on the inner lside of these chains or belts and supported by pillars 15 is a horizontal table or board 16. This is for the purpose of keeping the belts horizontal and up to their work,a s will be fully understood later.

Pivotally supported on brackets 21, secured to the bed of the machine, are upwardly-entending brackets 17 and 18. The bracket 17 is of U shape and passs over and down to the side frame near the rear side of the bed; but the brackets 18 project upward and connect with a frame 19, which frame 19 rests on bushed portions on the upper ends of the brackets and similar bushings on the outer sides of the bracket 17. This frame 19 has parallel sides, and they are connected together by cross-bars at either end.

Passing through the bushings in the brackets 17 and 18 are shafts 20 and 21, and mount- 'ed on these shafts are wheels 22, the same being provided with sprocket-toothed peripheries, around WhichI-ake chain belts 24. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) Placed over the surface ofv this belt or belts is' a belt 23, having a surface of rubber or of other pliable matter. This belt 23 is intended to close the mouths of open cans as they are passed through the machine.

g Arranged in brackets 25, secured to the 0pposite sides of the frame 19, is a belt-tightener 26, which takes up the slack of. the belts 23 and 24.

To prevent the chain belt.24 and the rubber belt 23 from being pushed upward above the plane of the lower peripheries of` the wheels 22 by the passing cans, I provide a table or plate 28, which is supported by bolts being secured 'thereto and being passed through apertures in the brackets 27, which are secured to the inner side of the frame 19, and to provide an upwardly-resilient movement of such plate 28 the coil-springs 29 are inserted over the said upwardly-projecting bolts and between lthe brackets -27 and the plate 28. (See Fig. 1.)

From the foregoing it will Ibe seen that in the event of an unusually tall can being taken between the chain belts 14 and the rubber belt 23 such can will be allowed to pass without damage by the plate 28 being pressed upward.

To impart movements to the belts 23 and 24, which take round the wheels 22, I provide the gear-wheels 30 and 31, which are rigidlyv secured to the shafts 11 and 20, and by imparting movement to the shaft 11, as will appear later, the belts 23 and 24'will be put in motion, yand owing tothe wheels 12 and 13 IOO being of the same diameter as the wheels 22 the saidupper and lower belts will travel at the same speed and in the same direction.

To provide for the adjustment of the elevation of the belt 23 above thelchain belts14, it is shown that the upper frame supporting the mechanism which carries the belt 23 is pivotally supported by the brackets 17 and 18 and by a set-screw 32, taking through a projection 32 on the front bracket 18, and the depending head of such setscrew 32 engaging in notches in an are 33, which is secured to the bed A, the said belt 23 may be set at any desired height for the accommodation of cans of different lengths, and the said screw 32 by being turned will adjust the said frame to a nicety.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,34 indicates hot-water or steam pipes, which are connected to supply-pipe 36, the same being supported to the frame 19 by a bracket 37. It will be seen that these pipes 34 pass parallel to the'4 eration is being performed the tops of the cans intended to receive the cans from the table 39 and carry them into the machine. As shown in Fig. 2, this belt 40 passes overa pulley which is loosely mounted on the shaft 10 in proximity to the Wheel12. Thereforeitis necessary to arrange a fixed guide 41, which lis curved over the belt 40. This will guide the cans from the line of the belt 40 to line with the belts 14 and 23, and to further assist the guidance of the cans I provide the adjust' able guide 42, which is secured on the opposite side of the can-chute by the screws 43, passing through slots therein. Near the opposite end of the can-chute is a fixed guide 44, which directs the cans so that they will be properly received on the drying-table 45. As better shown in Figs. 4 and 5, this dryingtable is composed of a frame having parallel bars 45, and its lowercforward portion is secured to the bed A, and its top is arranged on a level plane with the belts 14.

45" indicates slightly-raised portions which project rearward between the said belts 14, these being for the purpose that when the cans come to this point there will be no vibratory movement of the same on contacting with the chain conveyer 53, to be explained hereinafter. j

46 indicates an upwardly-proj ectin g bracket which issuitably secured to the rear side of the table 45, and on the front side of this bracket are secured metallic brushes 46, which are resilient and project into the "track of passing cans, andconsequently will rub the peripheries of such cans as they are carried along, as will be understood presently. On the opposite side of the can-track on this table 45 is arranged an adjustable guide-rail 47, and on the said track 4face or side of which is suitably secured a rubber strip 48, which engages the rims of the cans, and this rail 47 is adjustably secured to the table 45 by thumb-bolts 49,pass ing through slots 50 in projecting brackets on the said rail 47, and the lower ends of such bolts may be rigidly xed in projections on said table 45. The top of the guide-rail 47 is provided with an extending strip 51, which curves round toward the belt 52, and by this belt the cans are conducted from the machine. (See Fig. 4.)

53 indicates a con veyiug-chain which grips the loweredges andthe periphcries of the cans, and by reason of the opposite sides of the same being engaged by the fixed rubber strip 48 as the chain travels the cans will be revolved inthe direction of the arrow. (See Fig.- 4.) This 4chain 53 is driven by means of the sprocket-chain 55, passing over rigidly-fixed wheels. on the shaft 54 and the drive-shaft 11, and by reason of the wheel mounted on the -said shaft 11, over which the conveying-chain 53 passes, being loose and the sprocket-wheel 56 being larger than the wheel l56a on the shaft 54 and the rigidly-fixed wheel 53a on the opposite end thereof, over which the conveying-chain 53 travels, beinglarger than the said wheel 56a it will be seen that the chain 53 will travel at a higher speed than the belts 14 and 23, and consequently will draw the cans apart and will rotate them rapidly against the brushes 46, where the moisture will be remove from the bodies thereof.

To prevent t e conveying-chain 53 from slipping, I provide the coupling-pins to project on one side of said chain, (see Figs. 4 and v ,5,) and thesev projecting pins 53d rest inn recesses in the anges of the wheel 53, around which said chain passes, and the said chain is prevented from being pressed laterally by lying against the wall of the bracket 4G. In order to prevent thecans frolni'ising while being conveyed along by the chain 53, I vprovide a groove 53b therein, into which the rims of the cans are received, as shown in Fig. 5,.

` 57 indicates a pulley .on the shaft 11, to

which is attached the motive power.

T o provide that the cans will not be taken between the belts 14 and 23 in too close proximity to each other and thus retard thefwork of the hot-water or steam while passing 11etween such belts, I arrange the feed-belt 40 ona loose pulley 40 on the shaft 10, as before mentioned, and a chain belt 58 is passed over a pulley 59, rigidlyiixed on the said shaft 10, and over a pulley 59 of larger diameter on the shaft that carries the pulley that drives the belt 40.

From the foregoing it is shown that a slower movement is imparted to the feed-belt 40 than to the chain belt 14, and that as the cans come tothe guides 4l and 42 they 'will' be' drawn apart by the faster-traveling belts 14.

'As better shown in Fig. 1, 60 indicates a depending trough or receptacle to receive the water after being used, and it is conducted downward 4through the pipe 6l. The sides of this receptacle 60 may extend upwardl .above the horizontal line of the hot-water 19 carrying the belt 23, and the chain belt 24 pipes 34, so that all water will be prevented from slopping over other parts of the machine.

Any water that may accumulate on the belt 23 is prevented from dripping oft into the cans, as the said belt is released from the top of the same, by a scraping device secured to a bracket 62. (Shown in Fig. 6'.) This bracket 62 is secured to the cross-bar of the frame 19 by abolt 62, and to its opposite end is secured a flexible scraper 63, which contacts with the rising side Aof the belt 23. This scraper 63 prevents the water from. passing upward on the belt and deposits it in the pan 64 beneath, which'pan is open on opposite sides,

and whereby it may escape to the receptacle through the said open sides.

In the operation of my machine ymotive power is supplied'to the shaft 1l by the pulley 57 in the direction ofthe arrow, the frame l /ceive the cans, which will be spacedas before 5,"

mentioned, and will be thoroughly cleaned from grease by the jets Afrom'the pipes 34, and when 'they come to the vconveying-chai'n 53 they willpbe'rapidlyrevolved against the i brushes 46, where the water will'be removed therefrom, and they will then be guided onto the belt 52, which will carry them away.

It will be seen from the foregoing that myh invention is simple to operate, and owing to its novel means of adjustment diierent' di-v mensions of cans may be accommodated without unnecessary delay or trouble, this being y one of the essential features requisite in large j canning establishments, and 4it is further.v

shown -thatthe machine is simple and cheap 'of construction and that it will perform a vast amount of work in a short space of time, which is the important de sideratum. a

I have in some respects specifically described the construction and relative arrangement of the several parts of" ymy improved machine; but I do not desire to-be understood as confining myself to such -speciic construction and arrangement, as such' l changes l vor modifications may be madef'in .practice as fairly fall within the-scope of my invention. Having thus described my yinventiomlwhat I claim, and desire to'secure'iby'Letters Patent, is-

1. A can-cleaning machine,'^comprising ai conveyer consisting of upper and lowery belts adapted to engage the tops and-bottomsof the cans, and spray-pipes extending Vlongitudinally and disposed in a plane 'between the upper and lower belts as specified;r p

2. In a machine as described; the combination with the longitudinally'disposed'spraypipes, and conveyer means for carrying the cans between such pipes, said means including a closure member in the nature of an-v endless belt adapted to tightly fit over the cans and close vthem as theyvpa'ss 'between the said spray-pipes, as specifiedy 3. ln a can-cleaning machine in con'ibina-I tion; spraying devices land conveyer mech@l anism, said mechanism includingv upper and lower belts for engaging respectively the top,

and bottoms of the cans, theupper belt Ihaving means foreecting -a tight closure ofthe...

can-top for the purposes specified.-

4. In combination with the endless`conveyerchains 14 and the spraying means held in the IOO same longitudinal plane-therewith;y ofthe vertically-adjustable frame 19, and the endless belt mounted thereon, consisting of the link portion 24, and the solid yielding contact portion 23, and means for operatingthe two endless belts, as specified.` o

5. In a machine as described, the-.combirnation with a supportingbasej for th'e cans;

an adjustable side guide-having a yielding bearing; an opposing guide yh'a'fving resilient wiping-teeth projected inward to engage the sides of the can; and a conveyer-beltadapted to engage the can and hold it lagainst the yielding bearing of the side guide andcarry it forward and at the same time rotate it, for the purposes specified.' Y f 6. Acan cleaningand wipin'g-m'achine,com-v prising a feed-.belt and a takeoff belt; a clean# ing and wiping mechanism' 'interposed/between the two said belts; conveyer means for carrying the cans through the cleaning and wiping mechanism; a guide conne'cting'the y feed-belt and the cleaning mechanism for 'de-j;y

fleeting the can from the feeiL-beltto the clean-` ing mechanism a guide fordeiectin g the can from thewiper mechanism to' the take-off belt,

saidfeed-belt and lconveyer means being-mov- IIO able inline directions but atvariablespee'ds,

the feed-belt traveling the slower ,whereby'to effect a separation ofk thecansas they pass from the feed-belt tothel conveyer.l

7. An improved can-cleaning machine,com prisin g a cleaner mechanism,.infcluding ahotwater or steam spray, a conveyer for carry ing the can therethrough; afeed-belt forleading the cans tothe said conveyer; 'a dryingtable arranged to receive the cans direct from the cleaning-mechanism conveyer; a wiping mechanisn in juxtaposition to the drying-table and including a.' supplemental conveyer for carrying the can forward as it is being wiped, as specified.

8. A can cleaning and wiping mechanism combining the'seve'ral elements, to wit: means for ejecting ahnt-water or steam spray; conveyer devices Ifor carrying the cans through the spray and wiping means; a supplemental conveyer device adapted to receive the can from the other conveyer after they pass through the cleaning-spray and arranged to Y carry the cans through the wiping devices, as

specified.

9. In a machine as described, in combination with the longitudinally-disposed spraying means; a couveyer-chain having iixedlyjournaled drive -pulleys; a supplemental drive-belt held parallelwith the drive-chain and a supporting-chain therefor vertically adj ustable, as and for the purposes described.

1 In a machine of the class described the com ination of' a bed, Wheels mounted near opposite ends of said bed, chain belts taking around the same,'brackets 17 and 18 pivotally fixed to the bed A, a frame.19 pivotally supported on said brackets on a level plane, shafts 2O and 21 passing through bushings in the brackets 17 and 18, which support the `frame 19, wheels 22 rigidly fixed on the said shafts and lbelts arranged to take around sai wheels, and arranged to lie on a horiz al plane above the belts supported by the Wheels mounted near opposite ends ofsaidbed, and la gear-wheel 30,.rigidly fixed to the shaft 11 meshing with a similar wheel 3l, on the shaft 20, as and for the purposes specified. Y

11. Ina can-wiping machine, having a bed A, in combination with belts 14,'taking around wheels arranged near opposite ends of said bed, means for supporting the upper plane of said belts, an adjustable frame 19, supported by the bed above the belts 14, wheels'arranged in'opposite ends of said frame, belts 23 and` V24 taking around said Wheels, a depressing-V plate 28, supported above the lower plane of the belts 23 and .24, the said plate being hung from brackets 27 secured to opposite sides of the frame 19, and springs 29 interposed between said brackets and the said "plate, as

specified, and means for taking .up the slack of the belts as s'et forth. f 4 12. A machine of the class described having a bed A and'belt-wheels'mounted thereon and belts taking around the same, in combination with an adjustable frame 19 pivotally secured in brackets17 and 18 above said bed,

an arc-shape`d bracket 33 rigidly secured to the bed A, in proximity to one of the brackets 18, a projection 32 on said bracket 18,.a screw-bolt 32 taking through said projection,

and the head of the screw-:bolt arranged to lie in notches in the arc 33,'wl1ereby the frame 19 may be rigidly set atany altitude above the said bed as specified.

' 13. In a machine for wlping cans in combination with a bed, belt-whee1s arranged to turn in journals suitably secured thereto, and similar4 wheels arranged in an adjustable frame above the bed, and belts mounted on thesaid wheels, pipes 34 secured to both cross end pieces of the frame 19, and arranged cured to said shafts, and -belts 14 taking therearound, and means for supportingV the upper plane of said belts, an adjustable frame arranged on brackets above .the belts 14, wheels mounted in said frame, and belts 24 taking therearound, an elastic belt 23 ar-l ing around the wheels inthe upper frame, so, that cans passing along on the belts beneath4 will be engaged by the belts in the frame 19, and means for imparting the same movement and speed to the lupper and lowerl belts as specified, and means for spraying hot water orsteam to the peripheries of cans while being passed beneath the` belts 23 and 24, as

and for the purposes set forth..

16. In a machine of the class described, in combination with a bed A, wheels mounted near opposite end'suof said bed, 4belts taking combination "with a bed, shafts suitably l mounted on opposite ends thereof, wheels set IGC IIO'

around said wheels and forming a. carrier for. y

cans in 'a vertical position, an adjustable frame19, arranged above the carrier, wheels4 mbuntedn said frame and belts taking around the same, the said belts traveling at the 1sanne p speed as tli'e belts forming the carrier beneath, a bracket 62 secured to the rear crosspiece of the'frame 19, a pan 64 secured to said bracket to lie in close. proximity to the rising `periphery of the belt 23, a scraper 63 Vto engage said belt above the pan, whereby the surplus Waterwill be deposited in4 the said pan, and will be `directed fromthe' track of thecans, as specified. v f

17. In a can-wiper, having a bed and a passagefor cans over thesame :lmeans for supplying hotwater or` steam through pipes 34 on either side of Jsaid pass age,inA combination with a drying-table 45 secured vto the rear end of the bed, an upright bracket or bcking 46 secured to the rear side of said table, resilient metallic brushes 46'secured to the bracket 46, alchain 53 passing alongv beneath the projecting brushes 46, the same being arranged to engage the lower`l rims of cans,

and a rubber'or frictional strip-48 raised to engage and gripthe opposite lower peripheries of cans, wherebythe cans will be revolved against the brushesby the chain 53 as set forth.

18. In a machine of the kind: illustrated, having a bed and a passage for cansthereover,

in combination with a drying or wiping table v 45, a bracket 46 secured to the rear side of said table, a chain 53 lying in proximity to said bracket, projecting pins E3d .extending 1 from the chain 53 and passing/in a groove in the bracket 46, a groove 53b in the. opposite. side of said belt to lreceive the rims or flanges of cans, and metallic brushes 46a, to. engage the peripheriesof the sameiand a frictio'nal strip 48, to engage the opposite sides of the` said cans, whereby, when-the chain is putin motion, the cans will be revolved against the metallic brushes.

19. In a machine for cleaning cans, a bed A having shafts 10 and 11 mounted near opposite ends thereofyvheels secured to said shafts and belts taking around the same, in l combination with a drying-table secured to the said bed, a shaft 54 secured.l in journals in the rear end of said table, a wheel 56 secured to the shaft 11, a smaller wheel 56VL secured to the'shaft 54, a belt 55 passingover suchshaft; a wheel 53, ixedly held on the opposite end of the shaft 54; the adjustable and yielding guide 47, and belt 53 'for engaging the can and holding it against thev guide 4'7, as it is moved forward, whereby to revolve it as it moves forward, as specified.

20. In a machine of the kind described hav'-l ing a-bed and a carrier for cansthereover, ilr combination with a drying or wiping table 45, stationary resilient metallic brushes secured to and projecting intooune side of a vcan-chute in such table, a conveyor` 53, an-

JOHN ,KELLINGTOM Witnesses: j

W. G. TRETHEWEY, L. G. MUNN. 

